The most effective way to keep you and your data safe is to maintain the utmost awareness of your internet environment. Read everything closely to verify that information (emails, warning messages, etc) you receive is valid and correct, even if seems to be from your family and friends. If you are ever unsure, run a Google search and/or contact the Help Desk.

Never provide information to an untrusted website. Look for the https in the URL bar indicating that your web session is encrypted.

Finally, do not click on links received via email - instead, copy and paste the website address in to the URL bar.

Guard Your Privacy

Avoid disclosing any information that is not necessary for any given transaction. If you aren't comfortable providing something, ask questions (why it is necessary, how it will be used, whether you can see it and correct errors, how it will be protected, etc).

Share with care on social networking sites, and limit access to people that you know.

Stay Up To Date

Make sure to keep your computer updated. This is best achieved by enabling automatic updates. Also, be sure you are no longer using Internet Explorer, as it has a history of serious security problems.

Stick with a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. Finally, make sure you uninstall software on your computer that you no longer use.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords have these characteristics:

Longer than 15 characters

Not based on a dictionary word

Contain at least one letter, and at least one non-alphanumeric character

Not similar to your name, your username, or other passwords

Do not contain too many consecutive keyboard keys

Contain at least five unique characters

Use Antivirus Software

ITS will soon provide EnSilo and McAfee products for University-owned and personal computers, respectively.